Although it does have the built-in problem of talking soberly about a zany comedian. Dave Kehr's NYT obituary is really good.

“I'm in favor of plagiarism. If we are to create a new Renaissance, the government should encourage plagiarism. When convinced that someone is a true plagiarist, we should immediately award them the Legion of Honor.” —Jean Renoir

He gave a lecture at the BIG South bank whilst here to make Pepper and Salt.Another flop.
I liked his films with Dean Martin when I was a child.He made some funny films on his own,but after he left Paramount his film career went down.
Personally I never much cared for Forsyth.l

I offer a wistful and sad goodbye to that star many love to decry, Jerry Lewis. The inventive and ever-vigorous lunacy he offered, especially in that series of greats ending in 1964 with what I consider his masterpiece The Patsy, I always found not only hilarious but also mentally stimulating in much the same way that much of the material in MAD magazine was, indeed in much the same way that Keaton's more elaborate shenanigans could be. Yes, the mawkish moments are embarrassing; but he's in good company for that fault (I mention no names). Yes, he got out of style and offered mediocrities as time went on in ill-fated attempts to win back his audience; but, again, he's not alone in that by any means. And his ego alienated many; but, as with many many artists, if you didn't have the ego, you wouldn't have the product. Goodbye, Jerry--and thanks for giving us what no one else could give!

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"She confessed subsequently to Cottard that she found me remarkably enthusiastic; he replied that I was too emotional, that I needed sedatives, and that I ought to take up knitting." —Marcel Proust (Cities of the Plain).

I only recently became interested in his movies, but I have enjoyed them very much, especially Way... Way Out. He was always present in my life because of his telethon, and my husband watched his movies when he was a kid. I'm surprised at how many of my movie friends and acquaintances felt close to him. It seems he was wonderful at responding to fans and interviewers.

I've seen THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED, I'm not sure it's worth the effort. Still, I enjoyed some of Jerry's movies: THE BIG MOUTH, THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY, and THE NUTTY PROFESSOR helped propel Stella Stevens to prominence, and I'm certainly not complaining about that! I've always been fond of Del Moore, a comic actor who was a regular in Jerry's films until his death in 1970. Jerry used Stan Laurel as an unofficial gag consultant on his films and unsuccessfully tried to persuade Stan to show up in person to accept his honorary Oscar in 1960. I just hope Jerry was set straight on his baffling belief that Oliver Hardy was just some guy hanging around the lot when Stan selected him to be his on-screen foil!

Turner Classic Movies pays tribute to Jerry Lewis on Monday, September 4 with the following festival of films. This program will replace the previously scheduled movies for that day so please take note.

The new schedule for the evening of Monday, September 4 will be:
8:00 PM The Nutty Professor (1963)
10:00 PM The King of Comedy (1983)
12:00 AM The Stooge (1952)
2:00 AM The Bellboy (1960)
3:30 AM The Disorderly Orderly (1964)

Considering how Jerry Lewis's films appealed to a young audience, and this was a holiday Monday when they may have been able to snag some younger viewers who might enjoy his brash, physical comedy, programming a JL tribute well after their bedtime seems a tad shortsighted.